Is a new Prime Minister a fresh start? Will it make any difference in West Leeds?

My answer is that so far the omens are good, not least because two of the top challenges facing us in West Leeds are the wealth inequality gap and the housing crisis.

My regular advice surgeries are increasingly filled with young couples desperate for a home of their own.

Some years ago when I was a councillor and chair of the Housing Committee, I warned – to great criticism in the press locally and nationally – that Mrs Thatcher's introduction of the 'Right to Buy' policy would massively unbalance the housing market and reduce access to housing to those on low and modest incomes.

At that time there were over 97,000 council houses in Leeds and of all types - flats, bungalows, and two, three and four bed houses with gardens.

Today in Leeds, as a result of the discounted sell-off, there are less than 60,000.

We were told that investment in a new social housing sector would provide homes for rent to replace the lost council housing.

Not only were there not enough housing association properties built to replace sold off council homes, the way housing associations were financed from central government meant that they were charged higher rents than the council.

The private rented sector has not greatly expanded in the past three decades - around 13% of the stock - but inevitably home ownership has.

Moreover the increase in property value has pushed starter homes beyond the reach of young couples and those on lower incomes.

It is therefore no use continuing to advocate 'home ownership' as the aim or dream when it is practically unattainable and people are forced to try and find somewhere to rent – or stay at home, put up by parents, friends and relatives in grossly overcrowded conditions.

In other words, as I've regularly spelt out in Parliament, there is a real housing crisis – and it was predictable.

The shortage of decent homes to rent is a massive issue.

And at last Gordon Brown has decided to make tackling the housing crisis a top priority – with the Housing Minister boosted up into a Cabinet role.

I welcome this recognition of the issue and to meeting the new Housing Minister to spell out the real needs of people – especially for young people in Leeds West for a home of their own.

Band concert aims to raise some brass for hospice

One of the finest brass bands in the world - the Black Dyke Band - present their charity Summer Prom Concert at Leeds Met University next month.

The band are playing in association with the university in aid of Wetherby's Martin House Hospice. The concert will be held in Leeds Metropolitan University's fabulous Graduation Hall in Headingley on Sunday, July 15, at 3pm.

Julie Henderson, from Martin House, commented: "We hope lots of people will join us for an afternoon in true Proms style. We need to say a massive thank you to Leeds Met for donating the fabulous venue and for arranging the event, to the Black Dyke Band for their support and to Grant Thornton, Breville and DesignLeads for their kind sponsorship.

"All proceeds from the concert will be donated to Martin House which is wonderful news."

Martin House is the only children's hospice in Yorkshire.

They need to raise £3.5m a year to keep the hospice running.

Tickets are £10 (£8 concessions), with no booking fee, and are available from the Martin House Shop in Headingley or from the 24-hour ticket line 01937 844569. People can also buy tickets from Althams Travel in Lowtown, Pudsey.